The Returner cover

The Returner

Allison Russell · 2023

44 min · 10 tracks

Soulful melodies intertwine with poignant storytelling, creating a rich tapestry of resilience and self-discovery.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Returner — This title track encapsulates the album's thematic journey, with its reflective lyrics exploring personal growth and transformation through melodic intricacies.
  • →
    Eve Was Black — This song stands out for its powerful narrative that delves into historical and contemporary issues of race and identity, highlighted by Russell's emotive vocal delivery.
  • →
    Demons — With its haunting arrangement and introspective lyrics, Demons confronts personal struggles head-on, making it a pivotal moment within the album's exploration of vulnerability.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but may not have widespread recognition yet.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a soft, melodic introduction in 'Springtime' that gradually builds into more complex arrangements in subsequent tracks.
  • Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and dynamics, such as 'Demons,' which contrasts quiet verses with powerful choruses.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Springtime 4:11
  • 2 The Returner 3:50
  • 3 All Without Within 3:12
  • 4 Demons 4:29
  • 5 Eve Was Black 6:04
  • 6 Stay Right Here 4:09
  • 7 Shadowlands 4:13
  • 8 Rag Child 3:03
  • 9 Snake Life 4:37
  • 10 Requiem 6:13

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata